The Capitals did themselves a favor, in a roundabout way, by just having the bandaid ripped off quickly and being axed in seven days. There are 15 losers in the playoffs - the disappointment is the same for all (minus the Leafs) - and being eliminated before the Conference Finals means the Capitals will have the best draft pick of any team that made the postseason.
The Capitals were the only team in both conferences to be swept this playoff year in the first round. While the NHL Draft Lottery determines picks 1 through 16 based on the inverse order of the regular season standings, picks 17 through 32 are based on regular season standings and playoff results.
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